Santa Fe, Bernalillo counties issue fireworks ban to cover 4th of July
Posted at: 06/13/2012 1:25 PM
| Updated at: 06/13/2012 1:33 PM
By: KOB.com Staff
Parts of Bernalillo County will soon be under a fireworks ban.
The County Commission approved the measure Tuesday night.
The commission did not say when the ban will go into effect.
The Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners has also voted to ban certain fireworks in parts of Santa Fe County.
That vote means unincorporated portions of Santa Fe County cannot sale or use missile-type rockets, helicopters, aerial spinners, stick-type rockets and ground audible devices.
In addition, all fireworks within the wildlands in Santa Fe County are banned as July 4th approaches.
The move comes as the county continues to suffer from severe drought conditions.
Officials say the use of fireworks that aren't banned is limited to the areas that are paved, barren or have readily accessible water.
On Tuesday, Gov. Susana Martinez issued a letter urging city and county governments to hold emergency hearings on local fireworks bans.
In the letter, Martinez said restrictions on fireworks are needed because of the state's drought and high winds.
New Mexico is also currently fighting two raging wildfires caused by lightning.
State law allows local jurisdictions the power to restrict the use of fireworks and to ban certain fireworks during droughts.
However, local officials must hold a public hearing and issue a proclamation for a ban at least 20 days before a holiday for which fireworks can be sold.
The governor has twice tried and failed to pass a state law aimed at allowing for cities, counties and the state to easier ban fireworks during extreme drought.
Stay with KOB for more coverage of this developing story.
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